St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-30
PRISON SUNDAY TO-DAY.
Pastors Of the City to Talk on Jails
and Prisons.
FOR THE GOOD OF CoNvICTS.
A Meeting to be Held Tonight Which
May Develop a Prisoners
Aid Society.

''What is Prison Sunday?' Well, it
is another way of protecting society
against the depredations of evil doors,
severe punishment so prevalent in
penal institutions, but gently, with
kind words and strong efforts to pro-
duce reformation in wicked hearts,
kindly expressed. Prison Sunday is
observed in several states in the Union,
and the 30th of October is the day APP
pointed for its observance. The objects
and purposes of the OriginatorS were to
improve the prison system so that by
better discipline in prisons criminals
may be reformed. To improve the con-
dition of county jails, as many of them
are to-day an offense to humanity and
All eyeSore to Christian civilizations
To assist eX-conyicts who are struggling
to reform, and yet who find the forces
of society down on them and the ranks
of labor closed i'll their faces. There
are many such prisoners, who by mis-
fortune have been led to some evil ac-
ton, but who cannot be called criminals
in strictly technical sense. To aid
those who are unjuStly arrested and
help the families of men who by some
crime leave them without support, and
to give prisoners proper spiritual and
moral instruction. There is no reason
why great good cannot come of this
movement, as prisoner i'll the lonely
confines of his cell has abundant Oppor-
tunity to think of things that might
never find lodging place in his mind
outside" Such was the remark of a
philanthropic gentleman last night. 1t
was suggested in circular sent out
that before Oct. 50 each clergyman
VISIT THE COUNTY JAIL.
or lookup, in his town to jud, e for HIM
clergyman preach sermon to-day on
the subject of prisons and prison re-
form, and that when such sermons are
preached an extract be printed in one
or more of the local papers.
The scheme has ''caught on" quite
readily, and sermons Oh the subject
will be preached this morning and even
ing. Tonight general platform meet
ing will be held at T:30 at the Plymouth
church, to be participated in by Gov.
McGill and eX-GOv. Pillsbury. DR.. Dana,
Secretary Hart. and others. The meet
ing will probably lead. at least it is
hoped so, to the organization of a pris-
OnerS' aid society in this state, and that
the people to the need of prison reform.
especially to the careful scrutiny of city
iails and lockups. Rev. S. NJ. Crothers
will preach in Unity church, services at
II a. M, subject, Society and Its
Criminals"
Capt. Peter Berkey, in speaking of the
matters that have recently arisen in the
Jail here, said: REV. DR.. Dana will,
undoubtedly, have something to say of
the outrages in the Ramsey county Jail.
These things are certainly depl0rable
and stain upon the county. lnniy
opinion Sheriff Richter made a great
mistake when he discharged these men
in not assisting them; that is, OF course.
if the reports are true. The state board
of corrections, of which DR.. Dana is a
member. was organized for the purpose
of correcting and keeping down just
such matters and for the purpose of in
ducing criminals to lead better lives,
not to make them more comfortable
while in prison, understand, but to lift
them up and make them feel that the
public is interested in their welfare"